A tarantula is still at large in a Cambridgeshire town and people have been warned not to go near it if they see it.

Reports on social media claim the eight-legged beast was spotted by the river in March on Monday night.

The hairy arachnid was seen lurking in the grass near Richards Close, at around 10.30pm but it has not been spotted since.

We caught up with Daniel White, a senior lab and teacher from the Department of Zoology to help us track down the beast.

While many breeds of tarantula thrive in the hot weather, some cannot stand the heat - meaning it is likely the arachnid is seeking shelter from the sweltering climes.

Daniel White, University of Cambridge, Department of Zoology (Image: zoo.cam.ac.uk)

The 27-year old said: "Some species from Asia and Africa thrive in the heat, but others don't like it at all. The Chilean rose haired tarantula can't cope with temperatures much above 26C so it is likely it will have sought shelter from the sun.

"It will be looking for protection under logs, leaf litter and near stones. Given the chance they will burrow underground where it is cool and dark, so there isn't much point looking for it during the day."

Tarantulas like to hunt at night when it is much cooler, making them harder to spot, especially when they are a darker colour.